Deputy Wounded in Chase by Youths on Freeway

A carload of youths chased an off-duty sheriff’s deputy about two miles on the 605 Freeway in the Norwalk area, trying to force his car off the road and finally firing a shot that wounded him in the hand, investigators said Monday.

Officers said the deputy managed to get the license number of the car that was chasing him. The number was traced, and about a half hour after the chase, Juventino Alvarez Jr., 18--a reputed gang member who authorities believe was driving the car--was arrested at his home in Norwalk. David Vega Jr., 19, was arrested in Norwalk several hours later.

Both men were booked on suspicion of the attempted murder of a peace officer. Three other suspects remained at large.

The 26-year-old deputy was not identified. Detectives could not explain why the youths attacked the deputy, who was not in uniform and was driving his personal car. Investigators said the chase began about 10 p.m. Sunday on the freeway near Telegraph Road.